Analysis
Formula 1
How T-wings could still return on F1's 2018 cars
Formula 1 teams are set to engage in a new design battleground over low T-wings in 2018, as part of their push to regain downforce lost at the rear of cars.
Jonathan Noble Giorgio Piola
Edited: Jan 25, 2018, 3:15 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
A loophole in last year's technical regulations opened the door for teams to run high T-wings on the shark fin engine covers in a bid to improve performance.
But their addition to the cars caused an outcry among fans and teams because they were ugly, and this led to an outright ban being introduced for this year.
However, with F1 teams well aware of the benefits that the small wings delivered in terms of managing airflow and increasing downforce, it is almost certain that this concept will not have been ignored completely when it comes to finalising the 2018 challengers.
As teams claw to recover the loss of downforce caused by the high T-wing ban, plus the outlawing of monkey seats, it is looking almost certain that T-wing development will open up in a new area of the car instead.
That is because the wording of the 2018 regulations that outlawed shark fins and high T-wings still leaves room for another area to be exploited.
Article 3.5.1 of F1's technical regulations outlawed high T-wings by making it clear that no bodywork could appear in a specified triangular area above the defined engine cover.
2018 T-wing rules
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
It stated: "When viewed from the side, no bodywork forward of the rear wheel centre line may lie above a line parallel to the diagonal boundary defined in a) [a rule that defines the dimension of the engine cover] and intersecting the rear wheel centre line 650mm above the reference plane."
However, there remains a small area below this triangle that is still available for teams to exploit – and importantly this was exactly where Williams ran elaborate T-wing concepts last year.
Williams FW40 lower T-wing
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
For as well as developing a high T-wing like other teams, the FW40 featured a second lower down T-wing element to help manage airflow in this area.
As well as channelling air to the lower element of the rear wing, this airflow can also prove important in helping maximise the efficiency of the diffuser.
F1 teams are expecting big gains in downforce this year thanks to a much better understanding of the performance aspects of the new aero rules that were introduced last year.
McLaren technical director Tim Goss told Motorsport.com: "You would expect there to be a step, and given the cars are relatively immature, you would expect it to be a bigger step than in previous seasons."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Force India, Sauber withdraw EU complaint against F1
Next article F1 confirms free-to-air cutback for Italy
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
How Kyle Larson can lose the NASCAR Cup championship at Homestead
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
6 min
How Kyle Larson can lose the NASCAR Cup championship at Homestead
Justin Allgaier praised for his impact as leader and mentor in NASCAR O'Reilly garage
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Homestead-Miami
51 min
Justin Allgaier praised for his impact as leader and mentor in NASCAR O'Reilly garage
Justin Allgaier wins 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly championship as Brandon Jones wins Homestead finale
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Homestead-Miami
5 h
Justin Allgaier wins 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly championship as Brandon Jones wins Homestead finale
Andrew Patterson crashes into Homestead sand barrels, red-flags NASCAR O’Reilly finale
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Homestead-Miami
6 h
Andrew Patterson crashes into Homestead sand barrels, red-flags NASCAR O’Reilly finale
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe